Myth check
Martingale (double after every loss) eventually recovers everything with a small win.
Mostly false
Bottom line
Table limits and finite bankrolls stop the progression; long losing runs are normal enough to break it.
Explanation
Martingale assumes you can keep doubling forever and that a win will arrive before ruin. Real tables post maximums; real people run out of money.
A long losing streak can demand a stake far larger than the small target profit, turning a “safe” idea into a catastrophic loss.
Even before ruin, you are often pressing money into a negative-EV game faster — not inventing an edge.
Better framing
Treat progressions as risk escalators. Prefer flat entertainment units and hard stop-losses instead.
Educational myth check for adults 21+. Not gambling advice. Local laws vary.